Mphoko faces ouster, as tension mounts between him and Mnangagwa

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko's job is reportedly to be on the line amid revelations there was seriously brewing final purge against forces opposed to his counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa almost certain ascendancy to the presidency as it is alleged that the two are not in good books over seniority to each other.

The Telescope News reported that an invisible brutal political tug or war is escalating between the two which might see Mphoko falling out of government and party position if he is not clever enough to challenge Mnangagwa.

The two are reportedly eying to succeed Preisdent Robert Mugabe as it now seems imminent that he may leave office of die in office.

This has seen fresh factional fights emerging in the ruling Zanu PF even after the purge of those who are believed to be aligned to the former Vice President Joice Mujuru. This threatens to push the ruling party into an inevitable implosion.

The situation is said to be so serious such that Mugabe is alleged to be having sleepless nights as on how to quell the stand-off between his deputies as fall out still rages on.

Internal sources in the party claim that Mphoko is now being seen as a stumbling block to power, by Mnangagwa's backers who are said to include top security services chefs and most current serving cabinet ministers.

Mnangagwa, has received renewed support for the high office from, First Lady, Grace Mugabe, who believes he has the capacity and ability to fit Mugabe's shoes, while protecting the first family's interests government insiders said.

Grace reportedly wants Mphoko shown the door, to be replaced by former Zanu PF chairman, Simon Khaya-Moyo, for what some believe is Mphoko's open support for fresh blood to take over the party.

 The former diplomat to Moscow and Pretoria is also accused of supporting the so- called G40 or Generation 40 faction in Zanu PF, packed with young turks who are calling for the party to be represented by a youthful candidate in the do or die 2018 watershed elections, where former prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai is expected to give the liberation movement a good run for their money.

"Mphoko is going to be forced out, because the succession issue has now reached boiling point," said a senior Politburo member. "There is no harmony and consensus among the two (Mnangagwa and Mphoko), and because Mugabe sadly trusts Mnangagwa, Mphoko might be sacrificed. I don't see Mugabe himself dismissing Mphoko from his post, but Mnangagwa is likely to do it himself. Furthermore Amai (Grace ) is disappointed with him for failing to meet the VP standard."

Mugabe is believed to be likely to call it a day and exit power in 2016 owing to a cocktail of reasons, chief among them being the health woes of Grace and the nonagenarian's own advanced age.

The first lady's worrisome condition, according to officials close to the first family in government, who are aware of the confidential details, is going to force Mugabe to pre-maturely retire before his term in office comes to an end in 2018.

"Mnangagwa is just waiting to become head of state. When he comes to power, I don't see him keeping Mphoko. This means that, if he is installed president next year, Mphoko will generously be asked to step down instead of being fired, to pave way for Mnangagwa's new deputies," our informants said.

There is growing speculation that Mugabe, might announce a cabinet reshuffle, following the shock removal of Jonathan Moyo from the powerful information post. A few other ministers might also be dropped or replaced by vetted choices from parliament.

Mugabe is reportedly not keen on dismissing Mphoko, who appears to have the strongman's political empathy. Mugabe has also been impressed by how Mphoko has attempted to exonerate him from being responsible for the Gukurahundi massacres of the early 80s, which resulted in the sad death of over 20 000 innocent women and children from Matabeleland.

Mphoko has always insisted on distancing Mugabe from the Gukurahundi massacres which might have earned him favours from Mugabe.